Ferguson returns to Scottish fold

Scotland manager Walter Smith has named a 25-man squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against France and Ukraine.

Ferguson returns
Celtic FC striker Kenny Miller is suspended for the first game at Hampden Park a week on Saturday while Everton FC full-back Gary Naysmith misses out through injury. However, Smith is boosted by the return of Rangers FC captain Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch and James McFadden are also back having recovered from respective knee and hamstring injuries.

Naysmith woe
"It's disappointing to lose Naysmith as he's the only natural left-back we have," said Smith. "However, Kevin McNaughton has been doing well in that position for Cardiff [City FC] and that's why he is in. Losing Miller for the first game is also a blow but it will happen to all countries at some stage of the competition and we just have to handle the situation as best we can."

Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Neil Alexander (Cardiff City FC), Paul Gallacher (Norwich City FC), Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian FC)

Defenders: Graham Alexander (Preston North End FC), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen FC), Gary Caldwell (Celtic FC), Christian Dailly (West Ham United FC), Stephen McManus (Celtic FC), Kevin McNaughton (Cardiff City FC), Graeme Murty (Reading FC), Robbie Neilson (Heart of Midlothian FC), Steven Pressley (Heart of Midlothian FC), David Weir (Everton FC)

Midfielders: Scott Brown (Hibernian FC), Paul Hartley (Heart of Midlothian FC), Barry Ferguson (Rangers FC), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United FC), Lee McCulloch (Wigan Athletic FC), Nigel Quashie (West Bromwich Albion FC), Scott Severin (Aberdeen FC), Gary Teale (Wigan Athletic FC)

Forwards: Kris Boyd (Rangers FC), Kenny Miller (Celtic FC), James McFadden (Everton FC), Garry O'Connor (FC Lokomotiv Moskva)